April 28, 2020
This week's SPECIAL EDITION newsletter topic: UV LIGHTING
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19
Viruses, and the diseases they cause, often have different names. For example, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. People often know the name of a disease, but not the name of the virus that causes it.
Scientists have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can remain infectious on surfaces at room temperature for up to nine days. In human-to-human transmission, coronaviruses incubate for two to ten days and can spread via airborne droplets, contaminated hands, or other surfaces.
UV LIGHTING -not only helps Improve Indoor Air Quality it also will kill some viruses
The Ultraviolet Germicidal Wavelength (UV-C or UVGI) kills all known microorganisms including: bacteria, viruses, molds and other pathogens - even antibiotic-resistant super-bugs. ASHRAE states the UV-C wavelength can kill
90%
of all microorganisms living on HVAC air ducts and evaporator coils depending on light intensity, length of exposure, UV lamp placement and lamp life cycle. While every application should be individually modeled, typically 30-lamp-watts/square foot is recommended for airstream disinfection.
Spending money in this area can provide value. UV lighting does kill the virus. However, most UV lights are not sized to assure that EVERY virus that goes by them is destroyed. Many of the UV lights are sized to destroy molds that grow on AHU coils at night while the AHUs are shut down.
UV Resources released a white paper entitled "Germicidal UV-C and Airborne Kill" outlining how UV-C has been proven effective in killing other varieties of coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS. Read on:
https://bit.ly/2vQgtRi
Ultraviolet Air & Surface Disinfection Model Comparison
UV Air & Surface Disinfection Models
